In 2017, FINCIS set up its own series of publications aimed to share and deliver information about ethical themes in sports. Through studies and reports on sport ethics, new information for decision-making processes and general public discussion is produced. The purpose of these activities is to establish a more sustainable and safer sports culture.
The reports and reviews of the publication series provide as much information as possible about the latest research in sports. The purpose of the content based on multidisciplinary international and national studies is to increase the awareness of sports stakeholders about sport ethics.
The publications are created for sports stakeholders, organisations, decision-makers and authorities. Thanks to the wide variety of themes, there is plenty to read for parties not involved in sports as well.
Publications
Unfair result? A report on the prevention of manipulation of sports competitions 4/2019
The report is a concrete part of the efforts to prevent manipulation of sports competitions. The purpose of the report is to provide information and practical tools for all parties involved in sports and other parties interested in the subject. The report covers extensively the forces behind manipulation of sports competitions: corruption, organised crime and the growth of international betting markets.
The publication describes the nature, effects and various forms of manipulation of sports competitions in detail. In addition, the publication covers the risk factors and legislation related to manipulation of sports competitions and ways of preventing it. Practical tools and instructions for federations, organisations and athletes to prevent the manipulation of sports competitions are provided at the end of the report. The report is based on the latest international and national scientific literature and expert views.
Prevention of the manipulation of sports competitions is one of FINCIS’ most important tasks. FINCIS defends the rules of sport and the principles of fair play and is responsible for the implementation of the international treaty on the prevention of manipulation of sports competitions in Finland. It also offers authorities the necessary help for preventing crimes associated with manipulation. FINCIS’ activities also defend the independence and legality of sports betting indirectly. The activities aim to make all sports stakeholders aware of the risk of manipulation of sports competitions and how to prevent it. Efficient measures restrict the scope of action available for criminal activity associated with international sports betting in Finland. Competition manipulation does not belong in sports.
Study on ethical issues in sports. A review of international databases 3/2019
Research conducted on sport ethics is currently on the rise. This phenomenon is based on increased multidisciplinarity as new scientific fields and researchers increase the power of publications. New methods and concepts also create new specific questions and areas of research, which increases the number of publications even further. The phenomena conventionally interesting to social scientists now seem to attract researchers from other fields as well. In addition to digitalisation, the globalisation, professionalisation and economic growth of sports increase and change the number and content of ethical phenomena as well. These aspects have an impact on research. For example, the manipulation of sports competitions was previously considered to be a sub-type of sports-related corruption. Now, however, its mechanisms and possibilities have changed dramatically as a result of the proliferation of global web-based online games.
The publication outlines the research conducted on sport ethics by analysing the data published in international study reference databases. The objective is to study the extent and subjects of research. The analysis, carried out in 2018, was divided into three themes: spectator safety, manipulation of sports competitions and good administration, including corruption and hooliganism related to sports. Doping, one of the most prominent ethical phenomena in sports, was not included in this publication. FINCIS will prepare a separate analysis and report on doping research.
Queries were made in four international databases or database family trees with a total of hundreds of millions of references to various sources. The databases included were Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), ProQuest Central and Sportdiscus, a database focused on sports publications.
The analysed material clearly indicates that the study of ethical questions in sports is not based on social sciences as much as it used to be. The field has become more multidisciplinary, which has also increased the capacity for research. Multidisciplinarity, however, can cause the field to become fragmented. Researchers in social sciences, law, economics and medicine can study the same phenomenon without interacting with each other.
In the state of multidisciplinarity, sport ethics can be seen as a whole only in a separately made construction, such as this report. More advanced possible states include interdisciplinarity based on interaction and cross-disciplinary activities that precede an actual new field of research. Interdisciplinarity based on interaction is also necessary in developing the research of ethical phenomena in sports.
The review was conducted in co-operation between FINCIS and KIHU – Research Institute for Olympic Sports.
Silence is not an option is a publication that reviews the latest research data on harassment and bullying in society, particularly from the perspective of sports and exercise. The literary review based on multidisciplinary international and national research covers the multidimensional phenomena of harassment and bullying comprehensively. The review is about harassment and bullying in society and sports, especially the frequency, nature and effects of the phenomenon. In addition, the publication presents practical ways and suggested actions to process and prevent these phenomena.
The review starts with the universal description of harassment and bullying as phenomena. First chapters of the review are based on a multidisciplinary review of what is considered to be harassment or bullying. These phenomena are studied from the perspectives of legislation and the well-being of an individual, for instance. An additional area of interest is the environments in which harassment and bullying occurs.
Recent surveys of the general public provide insight on school environments and working life. The review advances from a universal assessment to harassment and bullying in sports and exercise. The frequency and special characteristics of both phenomena in sports are described on the basis of international scientific literature. At the end of the publication, evidence-based practical tools, actions and ideas on how parties in sports and exercise can prevent harassment and bullying are presented.
On the same line? A report on the equality of sports and exercise in Finland 1/2017
The report is about how equality in sports and exercise has been processed and studied in Finland. On the same line? The report on equality in sports and exercise in Finland is a descriptive literary review that brings together the key observations of more than 200 reports and studies on the subject. The information package is designed for sports and exercise organisations and other parties, decision-makers and authorities. It offers reviewed information to support representation, communications and strategic planning, for instance.
